Did you suffer an injury while traveling to another state? We have a few things that we would advise you to do. You don’t want to make a knee-jerk reaction because it can be more complicated than if you were injured in your home state. The laws differ in each state, which requires a local attorney from that state who understands those individual laws.
Step #1: Collect Driver’s Insurance Information
First, you will need to collect the driver’s insurance information. You want to gather as much information as possible because you can use this later. Next, take photos of scenes from the accident.
While the police department will take photos of the accident, it can help to have evidence of your own to ensure legal compensation.
Some of the things that you want from the other driver include:
- Name
- Number
- Insurance company
- Policy number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
In cases where the driver won’t give this information willingly, don’t worry, since the police will often collect this information as well. You can acquire it that way from the police report. However, it is best to present your documents to your lawyer: photos taken at the scene, witnesses' contact information, forensics if necessary, etc. Of course, your attorney will get such documents and even many more during discovery. However, if you come prepared, a lawyer will have a clearer picture of what happened and what compensation should comprise based on your case's strengths and weaknesses.
Step #2: See a Doctor
Don’t wait to visit a doctor after a car accident. You want to see a doctor immediately because the other party may try to pass the blame off onto something else (including you) if you wait. This will lower the compensation you can collect because of a weaker case.
People often think they don’t feel injured and don’t visit the doctor. In all cases except minor ones, we would advise against this attitude. You want the legal documentation that you can later use in court.
Step #3: Consult a Local Lawyer
After you gather the evidence from the accident and visit a doctor, you want to speak with a local lawyer. Don’t call your family lawyer since they belong to your home state and don’t understand the laws. Every state will have different laws regarding accidents.
For example, some states are no-fault states, and others don’t operate under the same doctrine. This can throw off a lawyer from another state and hurt your compensation case. They may understand the general laws, but you want someone who knows the specifics and how to fight for your case. You must figure out the laws that apply to your case. For example, hire a personal injury lawyer from Indiana in cases where you were injured in Indiana.
Every Case is Unique
In some cases where you suffered an injury out of state, your attorney may request to move the case back to your home state to add to the convenience. The law may prove more favorable in some cases, but you must consider it carefully since it can work against you.
The specific facts will influence how the case proceeds.
Out-of-State Cases Are More Complicated
The claims process for out-of-state cases has more complications that require the experience of an expert attorney. In addition, cases like this involve multiple jurisdictions, and while you can sue in the state where the accident happened, you can sue in your home state in some cases as well.
No matter where the case happened, the process often involves many of the same things, but the individual laws may differ depending on where it happened.
Conclusion
In many cases with out-of-state injuries, you will need to travel to the state where you were injured for the court proceedings. This extra travel can add up in costs. Before you hire a lawyer, check to see that they can handle out-of-state clients. Some law firms don’t accept out-of-state clients because of the extra costs associated with them. This includes dealing with other police jurisdictions, insurance companies, expert witnesses, and doctors. Such things take a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of money.
The legal process has greater complications in cases where someone comes from out of state.
Michael Hawkins
When it comes to educating the public on legal matters, few people are as determined as Michael Hawkins. From discovering issues of interest that concern all of us to offering actionable articles and guides to those in need, Michael is relentless in his journey of helping people make sense of the legal system. With dozens of pieces published in magazines, news outlets, and online journals, Michael is here to translate legalese into plain English so you can understand your rights and make the system work in your benefit.
